Page 102 of Dirty Legacy

“I know. Find your cousin.”

She strides off, leaving me alone on the bench.

I stay there for a few minutes, wondering what Deck was thinking, why he put himself under Fergus like that, for something as cheap as money. It kills me, knowing my own cousin sold me out.

But there’s an end for him. There’s a fitting death coming and coming soon.

30

ANGIE

I’m anxious the second Connor leaves the house.

After the attack on his mansion, it kills me when he’s not around. I’m constantly worried I might never see him again, that a bunch of armed men might storm through the door at any moment and destroy everything I’ve grown to love.

Because I do love it here. Even this house, with its empty rooms and echoing halls. No staff, no help, not anymore. Lisa survived the assault, but Connor made it clear he’s not bringing anyone around aside from guards until this is all finished.

It’s his family I adore. Danielle’s chatty and selfish, but even she’s warming to me. Then there’s Rowan, and how much she’s hurting right now, and Cathal with his crooked, broken nose. They’re such good people and I don’t know how I’ve gotten through the day this long without having real family to come home to.

Mom’s slumped on a dingy chair in front of an old TV. She looks miserable: pale, drawn, sweaty, and nervous. I sit with her, but she only complains about everything and constantly changes the channel.

“We had a good thing, you know,” Mom says, jabbing the remote in the air. “A real good thing, and what did he go and do? He went and screwed it all up.”

“You know that’s not what happened.”

“Like hell I do! That place was magical, Angelina. I loved that house so much. And look at me now.”

“You realize we were practically prisoners?”

“But I had staff. I had cleaners. And I had my chewies. Where are my smokes now?”

My head swings toward her, pulse thumping in my ears. “Your smokes?”

“My gummies! Whatever! I swear it’s like my brain’s on fire. It’s so loud inside my head, darling, and I need something to tone me down, you know that. Where are my smokes? Please, lovey? Can you ask Connor?”

“Mom—“

“Please, baby? Pretty please? I know we’re in hiding, but please⁠—“

“Enough!” I stand. My knees wobble and I’m shaking. “Stop asking. Every time I come in here, it’s the same. You beg and you beg because you don’t know how to be sober. But Connor made it clear. We aren’t getting anything anytime soon.”

“Then fuck him.” She spits and kicks her legs. “Fuck him! Fuck you too!”

I watch my adult mother have a meltdown. It’s a full-on screaming tantrum, and that’s what finally breaks me. I wait her out, feeling the last shreds of my feelings for her fray and crumble, until there’s nothing left.

“I’ve given you everything,” I say, forcing the words out, fighting back tears. “I took care of you for years, Mom, when you couldn’t handle taking care of yourself. I sacrificed to make sure you had what you needed.”

“Oh, stop it, you fucking baby. Listen to yourself. You’re such a martyr.”

“I’m done now.” I turn my back on her, trembling. “You never cared before. You’re not going to care now. You’re not my responsibility anymore.”

“I’m your mother! I raised you!”

“No, you didn’t.” I walk purposefully to the door. “When this is over, I want you to go back home.”

“What are you talking about?”

“We’re done. You’re on your own now, Mom.”